Joey Bosa, Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker, said, “Eating isn’t enjoyable these days,” “It’s more so just part of the job,” after spending his offseason eating until he was uncomfortable.
As a part of a well-constructed plan, he consumed between 4,500 to 5,000 calories per day to enable him to pack pounds onto his 6-foot-5 frame in preparation for his eighth NFL season.
Bosa, 28, decided to put on weight after playing last season at 250 pounds. Earlier in his career, he was 265-270 pounds, and during his collegiate career at Ohio State, he was 280 pounds. He said, “I specifically tried to really eat good and put some weight on this offseason, get back to my weight I was at a few years ago, where I could use my power.
“Really handle guys in the run and be more effective in that part of the game” after a training camp practice.”
After the 2022 season, in which Bosa had been an injured reserve for 12 games due to groin surgery and the Chargers failed for the second season to stop the run leading to the league-worst average of 5.4 yards per carry, on discussion with position coach Giff Smith the plan to bulk up was put into motion.
Smith had coached Bosa since he was selected, with the third overall pick in 2016, and advised him to add weight to regain power.
Giff said: “When we went to this system of defense, he thought he needed to be a little bit lighter, and he was dealing with some nagging injuries, so you always lose a little weight when you have some lower half injuries.
“He’s finally healthy, and he was able to add the muscle mass, good muscle mass, and he feels comfortable. And then it does expose the power. Everybody knows how gifted he is with his hands and his movement.
“But when you can shock (opponents) with the power, it just has another element to his game.”
Coach Brandon Staley, who was responsible for scrapping the Chargers’ 4-3 defense scheme for a 3-4 in 2021, endorsed the plan saying, “That’s where he’s more comfortable. You have to be able to establish power as a rusher, and that’s what will make you dangerous.
“He has some of the best hands in the NFL, which he’s famous for, but to set those hands up, you have to establish the power.”
The left tackle, Rashawn Slater, has to contend with Bosa daily and said, “I noticed that right away. I feel a little extra pop with him this year, sure.”
Bosa continued his usual offseason training regimen with his brother, 49ers star defensive lineman Nick Bosa, but had to work with a nutritionist, consume five to six meals daily and constantly snack to add pounds.
Before a morning run, he would drink plenty of fluids, eat a little fruit and follow his run with a small breakfast. Then the eating marathon would begin and include five more meals with plates full of red meat, chicken, or fish. A high dose of protein, some vegetables, and carbohydrates like chickpea pasta and lots of snacks which included pretzels, nuts, and fruit (But no honeydew or cantaloupe, which he despises), often smothered in creamy peanut butter, and a smoothie.
Gaining weight while dripping sweat during hour-long workouts in the summer Florida humidity was harsh. Stabilizing his weight during training camp in Southern California, where the Chargers spend about 2 ½ hours daily sweating, during practice was more difficult.
Bosa’s fast metabolism made him not miss a meal, or he would weigh a few pounds less the following day. The star defensive player’s offseason makeover will be tested on September 10 at SoFi Stadium when the Chargers open the season against Miami Dolphins.
“I definitely feel stronger,” he said. We will see come the new NFL season.
